The Next ChaptHER

How to Manage Your Time, Part 2: The CEO Method for Clarity, Energy, and Ownership

We’re back with part 2 of our time management series—and this one’s a game changer. I’m sharing my CEO Method for time: a simple yet powerful framework that helps you lead your time with Clarity, Energy, and Ownership.

Because managing your time isn’t about squeezing more in—it’s about making intentional choices that honor your energy, your needs, and your priorities in this season of life.

In this episode, we cover:
✅ Why clarity is the foundation of managing your time
✅ How to work with your energy, not against it
✅ How to step into ownership of your calendar, commitments, and choices
✅ Why time management isn’t about productivity—it’s about power

✨ A quick note from me:
You may have noticed a little gap in episodes recently. Earlier this week, I shared a personal update explaining what’s been going on behind the scenes. If you haven’t listened yet, check it out to hear more.

📝 Mentioned in this episode:

• Download the CEO Time Method Worksheet:
  
  
• Learn more about The Next ChaptHER Circle
  
  

If this episode resonated, I’d love for you to share it with a friend or tag me on Instagram @fullyinformedlifecoaching—it helps more women find their roadmap back to J.O.Y.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review so you never miss an episode!

A Plot Twist I Never Saw Coming

This isn’t the episode I expected to record. It’s not the topic I had planned. But here we are—and in true Next ChaptHER fashion, I’m showing up and sharing it with you.

Just days before my 48th birthday, I got a phone call that changed everything.

In this episode, I’m opening up about this unexpected chapter, why you haven’t heard a new podcast in a few weeks, and how I’m navigating this plot twist in real time—both personally and as a coach.

I share:
✅ What’s been paused (and what hasn’t)
✅ Why using my voice has become my lifeline
✅ How two podcast guests turned friends created a walking challenge in my honor
✅ How I’m choosing to keep showing up—one step at a time

If you’re navigating your own plot twist right now, I hope this episode reminds you:
You don’t have to be brave every single day.
You don’t have to perform strength for anyone else.
You always have a choice.

💬 I’d love to walk this chapter with you:
👉 Follow my raw, unfiltered journey on Substack: These Girls Are For Fighting
👉 Join the Fight Club Walking Challenge: Sign up here
👉 Listen to the Fight Song Playlist on Apple Music or Spotify 

Thank you for being part of my Fight Club. Thank you for walking beside me. And thank you for sticking around as I figure out this new chapter—one moment, one choice, one step at a time.

❤️ If this episode resonated, share it with a friend or tag me @fullyinformedlifecoaching so more women know they’re not alone.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

What “I Don’t Have Time” Really Means (Time Series, Part 1)

If you’ve ever said, “I don’t have time,” this one’s for you. In this honest and energizing episode, Andrea unpacks the phrase so many midlife women use—and what it’s actually saying about our priorities.

Spoiler: it’s not about the hours in the day. It’s about reclaiming your power and finally putting yourself on your own damn to-do list.

This episode was recorded before Andrea received her breast cancer diagnosis, making this conversation even more personal. The reminder to schedule your own appointments, check in with your body, and stop putting yourself last has never felt more urgent or real. You can read more about that part of her story here:

👉 Read: Where’s My Game Plan? on Substack

🔄 This is Part 1 of a 2-part series on reclaiming your time and energy in midlife. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Andrea walks you through her CEO Method to Time Management: Clarity, Energy, Ownership.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• Why “I don’t have time” is often code for deeper mindset blocks
  
  

• The real reason women tend to everyone else’s needs before their own
  
  

• How to use a Time Audit to create awareness (not guilt) around how you spend your days
  
  

• The first step to becoming the CEO of your calendar
  
  

• A preview of what’s coming next: the CEO Method to Time Management
  
  

📘 Resources & Links:

• 📥 Download the Free Time Audit Exercise – Get clarity on how you're really spending your time.
  
  

• 💬 DM Andrea what you’ve been saying you “don’t have time” for: @fullyinformedlifecoaching
  
  

• 🚀 Join the Next Chapter Circle Waitlist
  
  

🔔 Don’t Miss What’s Next:

Up next is Part 2—Andrea breaks down how to step into the role of CEO of your calendar using her signature CEO Method: Clarity, Energy, Ownership. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.

💖 Enjoyed the Episode?

If this resonated, share the love by rating and reviewing the show:
👉 ratethispodcast.com/thenextchapterher

When “Me Time” Gets Interrupted: Reclaiming the Moments That Bring You Back to You

Episode Summary:
Let’s be real—me time often feels like a myth. You carve out a quiet moment, light a candle, maybe even start doing something that brings you joy… and then chaos enters stage left (looking at you, Snoopy 🐶).

In this episode, I’m sharing:
✨ The soup story that perfectly captures how “me time” turns into a press conference
✨ The difference between being alone and actually feeling like something is yours
✨ Four common mistakes we make when trying to carve out meaningful time
✨ Why your “me time” doesn’t have to be productive to be powerful
✨ And how to reclaim joy as part of your Journey of You (not just a nice-to-have luxury)

You’ll walk away with:
✔️ Reflection questions to help you rediscover what lights you up
✔️ Practical ways to protect your time without guilt
✔️ A new lens for seeing “joy” not as a task, but as a lifeline

Now I want to hear from you:
What’s one thing you used to love that you want to bring back—on your terms?
DM me or comment on the episode post. Let’s reclaim joy together.

And if this hit home, don’t forget: The Next ChaptHER Circle Spring waitlist is OPEN. It’s your next step if you’re craving clarity, community, and your own roadmap back to J.O.Y. - the journey of you.
📩 Join the waitlist

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend

📱 Screenshot and tag me @fullyinformedlifecoaching and @thenextchapther on Instagram—I’ll reshare and thank you personally!

⭐ And leave a review if you can at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/thenextchapther—it helps more women discover their next chapter.

Until next time, remember: you don’t need permission to protect your peace. You just need a moment that’s yours.

Wide Awake at 3 A.M.? Here’s What Your Brain is Trying to Tell You

We've all been there—staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., our minds running a marathon of overthinking. Did I lock the front door? Should I have taken that other job? How is it possible that I still don’t have it all figured out? If I dropped this episode at 3 a.m., I bet some of you would actually be awake to listen.

But what if these middle-of-the-night wake-ups aren’t just annoying?

What if they’re actually trying to tell you something?

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• Why your brain wakes you up at the worst possible time (Hint: It’s science, not sabotage.)
• How to know if your 3 a.m. thoughts are worth listening to (or just late-night nonsense).
• My 3-step clarity check to separate real insights from middle-of-the-night drama.
• What to do next—how to reframe, take small actions, and actually use those wake-up calls to your advantage.

So before you spiral into a rabbit hole of overthinking, let’s turn these 3 a.m. moments into something that moves you forward.

Join the Next ChaptHER Circle!
If you're tired of overthinking and ready to take action, my Next ChaptHER Circle is for you. It’s my group coaching experience designed for women navigating midlife pivots, craving clarity, and looking for a roadmap forward.

The Spring Circle is opening soon—join the waitlist now for early access!

📩 Sign up for the waitlist here: https://fullyinformedlifecoaching.myflodesk.com/z74vft7ew6

Loved this episode? Let’s connect!
💬 DM me on Instagram @thenextchapther or @fullyinformedlifecoaching and tell me what resonated most.
📢 Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.
⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify—it helps to get this message to other women who need it!

Ditch the Recipe: Trust Your Gut in the Kitchen & in Life with Melanie of Gather Culinary

"Perfectionism kills intuition. And as a former pastry chef who was a perfectionist, I always call myself a recovering perfectionist." – Melanie (09:49)

Are You Stuck Following the Recipe—In the Kitchen and in Life?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by cooking, labeled yourself “the worst cook,” or relied on strict rules and recipes just to get through dinner, this episode is about to change the way you think—not just about food, but about confidence, intuition, and self-trust.

Cooking is one of the few things we do daily that engages all five senses—yet many of us feel stuck, insecure, or afraid to make mistakes. What if the kitchen could be a place of freedom instead of fear?

This week, Andrea sits down with Melanie from Gather Culinary, a chef and culinary educator with nearly three decades of experience, to explore how breaking free from recipes can help you break free in life.

They dive into why perfectionism is holding you back, how to trust your intuition when cooking, and how a simple mindset shift in the kitchen can spill over into other areas of your life. Plus, Melanie shares some eye-opening tricks—like why banana peel tea can help you sleep and how to train your senses to “hear” when food is ready.

By the end of this episode, you’ll be ready to ditch the self-doubt, tap into your intuition, and cook (and live) with more confidence than ever before.

Key Quotes:

"If you tell yourself that story, your body hears you, your mind hears you, and it's like a little chip away every day. ‘I'm not good at this. I can't do it.’" – Melanie (01:27)

"Your intuition isn’t about thinking harder. It's about creating space for the answers that are already there to emerge." – Melanie (22:03)

"The kitchen is the perfect place to practice flexibility—because if you can pivot when your avocado isn’t ripe, you can pivot in life too." – Andrea (08:57)

"If you taste something and don’t like it, ask yourself why. Cooking isn’t about getting it ‘right’—it’s about making it taste good to YOU." – Melanie (31:21)

Resources & Links:

📌 Connect with Melanie Underwood & Gather Culinary:
🔗 Gather Culinary 

• Website: https://www.gatherculinary.com 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatherculinary
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatherculinary

🔗 Chef Melanie Underwood:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefmelanieunderwood
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefmelanieunderwood
• Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/melanieunderwood

📌 Other Resources Mentioned:

• https://www.gatherculinary.com/post/guide-to-intuitive-baking 
• https://www.gatherculinary.com/post/mindful-cooking-affirmations
• https://www.gatherculinary.com/post/mindful-cooking-nourishing-your-body-and-soul-in-the-kitchen

📌 Connect with Andrea Hecht:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullyinformedlifecoaching
• Website: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

Feeling like life’s stuck on repeat with stress and doubt? It’s time to change the tune. Download the FREE Hit Play on Joy Guide to:

• Boost your confidence with an empowering playlist
• Rewrite your inner narrative with uplifting quotes
• Take practical steps to start living the life you desire
• Hit play on joy and find your roadmap back to purpose and positivity.

Download now at https://fullyinformedlifecoaching.myflodesk.com/hitplayonjoy.

Work with Andrea one-on-one to unlock your true potential and lead a fulfilling life. Gain clarity, build confidence, and discover personal insights that will empower you to pursue your authentic ambitions and improve your well-being. Fill out the form to set up a FREE 30-minute consultation, and visit https://www.fullyinformedlife.com to learn more. As a podcast listener, receive a 30% savings if you enroll in a coaching program this fall.

Do you have a guest we should feature on The Next ChaptHER podcast? Please fill out the questionnaire, and the team will contact you.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

✨ Did this episode inspire you to ditch the recipe? Tag@FullyInformedLifeCoaching & @TheNextChaptHER on Instagram and share what you’re cooking intuitively!
✨ Love this episode? Share it with a friend & leave a review—it helps more women find their roadmap back to joy!

Why Friendship Feels So Hard in Midlife—and What to Do About It with Nina Badzin

Friendship in midlife can feel unexpectedly hard. Why does it seem tougher to connect, and what can we do about it?

 

Andrea Hecht sits down with Nina Badzin, a friendship expert who has spent years helping women navigate this stage of life. They unpack why old social circles may no longer fit, why assumptions about who’s available for friendship can hold us back, and why redefining what we expect from relationships might be the key to feeling more connected.

 

From casual acquaintances to deep bonds, every relationship has a place. But how do you know when to nurture a friendship and when to let it go? Nina shares her perspective on making meaningful connections without overthinking every interaction. If midlife friendships feel more complicated than they should, this episode will help you see them in a new light.

 

Quotes

• “You cannot make someone do friendship like you do.” (10:05 | Nina Badzin)
• “People make assumptions about how available others are. A lot of times they assume they’re not available for friendship because they seem really busy, they look really busy on social media, and we all know social media isn’t always what it seems.” (15:32 | Nina Badzin) 
• “If you take your own social life into your hands, you will meet new people.” (18:09 | Nina Badzin)
• “It is impossible for everybody in a friend group to be equally close.” (40:24 | Nina Badzin) 
• “I would just love to see people give other people as big of a break as we give ourselves.” (42:18 | Nina Badzin) 

 

Links

Connect with Nina Badzin:

Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship: https://ninabadzin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearninafriendship

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dearninafriendship

Substack: https://dearnina.substack.com/

FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/855246118403712

 

Connect with your host, Andrea Hecht:

Connect with your host, Andrea Hecht:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullyinformedlifecoaching

Website: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

 

✨ Join The Next ChaptHER Circle! ✨

A transformative space for women ready to connect, grow, and rediscover their joy.

👉 Sign up here and receive 30% savings:: The Next ChaptHER Circle

https://the-next-chapther-circle.circle.so/checkout/the-next-chapther-circle-founding-annual-membership

 

Work with Andrea one-on-one to unlock your true potential and lead a fulfilling life. Gain clarity, build confidence, and discover personal insights that will empower you to pursue your authentic ambitions and improve your well-being.

👉 Fill out the form to set up a FREE 30-minute consultation: 

https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

 

Do you have a guest we should feature on The Next ChaptHER podcast?

👉 Fill out the questionnaire here and our team will get in touch: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-n2LOAXgUMUwxFc66QrtHY47-8_nOeJUpcnNHnv6LdyLHCg/viewform

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The College Admissions Rollercoaster: Managing Emotions and Expectations

The college admissions process can feel like a whirlwind of stress, emotions, and endless comparisons, but does it have to? In this episode, Andrea Hecht sits down with Kelly Levi, a college admissions expert and mom of three, to unpack the emotional side of navigating college applications. 

 

From the pressures amplified by social media to the rising number of applications brought on by test-optional policies, Kelly explains why today’s admissions process feels more overwhelming than ever. She shares practical tips for parents to stay supportive without adding unnecessary pressure—like using digital tools for communication and setting clear boundaries to manage expectations. 

 

What if we reframed the college admissions journey as a chance for students to discover their strengths and families to grow closer? Kelly and Andrea explore this perspective, and offer strategies to focus on progress, celebrate milestones, and approach each step with intention. 

 

This episode serves as a guide for parents looking to balance their own emotions while empowering their kids to embrace this transformative chapter with confidence.

 

Quotes

• “Focus on what you can do. Focus on your academic performance, your story, and we can talk about that and what that means. And embrace your friends and try to get through it together. Because pinning yourself against someone else is not gonna help anything.” (13:18 | Kelly Levi)
• “Instead of making it a competition, make it a celebration. Make it a celebration of this chapter of your life and this excitement. Again, you can control if you want to make it a miserable experience and add to the stress, or are we gonna make this as positive of an experience?” (14:44 | Andrea Hecht) 
• “The whole point is that we’re here as parents to guide our kids and to support them. We only want to see the best for our kids in any of it. But what our best support looks like and what we think it might need to be could be completely different than what your child really wants.” (20:58 | Andrea Hecht)
• “When a rejection comes, it stings and it’s yucky, and it’s okay to feel crappy about it, but know that it will be okay.” (38:14 | Kelly Levi)
• “Plan ahead. I think that takes so much of the stress out of it. And obviously knowing when your due dates are is important, but having someone, and that does not have to be mom or dad, having someone kind of oversee those due dates from afar is really helpful.” (57:19 | Kelly Levi) 

 

Links

Connect with Kelly Levi:

The Write Stop http://www.thewritestopwithkelly.com

Instagram:@kellykoeniglevi

Have specific questions you’d like to ask Kelly, email her at kelly@thewritestopwithkelly.com

 

Connect with your host, Andrea Hecht:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullyinformedlifecoaching

Website: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

 

✨ Join The Next ChaptHER Circle! ✨

A transformative space for women ready to connect, grow, and rediscover their joy.

👉 Sign up here and receive 30% savings: The Next ChaptHER Circle

https://the-next-chapther-circle.circle.so/checkout/the-next-chapther-circle-founding-annual-membership

 

Work with Andrea one-on-one to unlock your true potential and lead a fulfilling life. Gain clarity, build confidence, and discover personal insights that will empower you to pursue your authentic ambitions and improve your well-being.

👉 Fill out the form to set up a FREE 30-minute consultation: https://www.fullyinformedlife.com

🎉 As a podcast listener, receive 30% savings if you enroll in a coaching program this fall!

 

Do you have a guest we should feature on The Next ChaptHER podcast?

👉 Fill out the questionnaire here and our team will get in touch: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-n2LOAXgUMUwxFc66QrtHY47-8_nOeJUpcnNHnv6LdyLHCg/viewform

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm